Minka's Bear Passion

Steiff

Margarete Steiff is the founder of this German company, around 1890. It's is believe that they made one of the first Teddy Bear, designed by Margarete's nephew Richard in 1903. Before that, they made lots of stuffed animals and they still do. The German firm is the world's biggest manufacturer of Teddy Bear with a very high standard. Early Steiff bears are rare, and very valuable.

See a photo report of our trip to the factory of Steiff in Giengen.

Trademarks

Steiff trademark

[1] - [2]

The 'button in ear' trademark was first introduced in 1904, which originally had an elephant in relief on it [1]. In 1905 the Steiff ear button was patented, and the elephant was dropped for the company's name. From 1908-1909 a material label was added [2], and from 1926 a paper label on the chest of the Teddy Bear.

Teddy bear eaxamples

Stieff, 1905, 16"/41cm Steiff, 1909, 16"/41cm Steiff, 1950, 11"/28cm

left: year: 1905, height: 16"/41cm, a cinnamon colored, very valuable Teddy Bear with middle seam.
middle: year: 1909, height: 16"/41cm, name: Edelweiss, has a metal ear button on relief.
right: year: ±1950, height: 11"/28cm, a Steiff Zotty from the fifties, very popular with collectors.

Steiff, 1903, 15"/38cm Steiff, 1905, 27"/70cm Steiff, 1905, 16"/40cm

left: year: 1903, height: 15"/38cm, name: Christian Gabriel, this bear has a metal frame inside and is one of the most sought after Steiff-bears.
middle: year: ±1905,height: 27½"/70cm, very rare, because of his soft stuffing.
right: year: ±1905, height: 16"/40cm, popular Steiff-bear with middle-seam.

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